This is a discussion on Bad Brakes? within the Suspension & Wheels forums, part of the Tech & Modifying & General Repairs category; I was driving my 2011 wrx the other day at 30mph. A car pulls out in front of me and ...

Bad Brakes?

I was driving my 2011 wrx the other day at 30mph. A car pulls out in front of me and I push hard on the brakes. They seem to bottom out, all the way to the floor then a thud then the car stops. The car has a fresh Virginia inspection so I assume the pads are good. There is also a small scraping noise sometimes under normal breaking. Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks!

All the way to the floor? Yikes. Have you checked your brake fluid level? With regards to the scraping noise under braking, that could be just a small stone stuck someone in the brakes. If you have an air compressor, take your wheels off and blow air all around the calipers. While you've got the wheels off, check to make sure you really do have some meat left on the brake pads. I don't know what's involved in a "Virginia inspection". Do they remove the wheels? If not, they can't check the brake pads.

But, honestly, I'd be more concerned with the pedal travel. Take it to the dealer.

EDIT: Wait - this happened once under hard braking? Just sounds like your ABS cut in.

ABS

I also have no idea what a "Virginia Inspection" means, but it sounds like your ABS cut in. If you're hitting the floor it can shudder. That's the ABS cutting in. Soft to hard breaking is better. If you know you have to hit them hard, understand they will shut off at a certain point and cut back in. Sounds like normal Subie braking. If it happens again, under less intense conditions, take it to a good Subie mechanic.

~E

Originally Posted by Soobvirgin

All the way to the floor? Yikes. Have you checked your brake fluid level? With regards to the scraping noise under braking, that could be just a small stone stuck someone in the brakes. If you have an air compressor, take your wheels off and blow air all around the calipers. While you've got the wheels off, check to make sure you really do have some meat left on the brake pads. I don't know what's involved in a "Virginia inspection". Do they remove the wheels? If not, they can't check the brake pads.

But, honestly, I'd be more concerned with the pedal travel. Take it to the dealer.

EDIT: Wait - this happened once under hard braking? Just sounds like your ABS cut in.

Va inspection does require taking off the wheel and checking the pads. Wasn't sure if this was normal for Subaru and/or wrx. I am pulling the wheel this week anyway as I want to clean the inside of the wheel and rotor. Also looking at caliper covers. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Brakes all the way to the floor would concern me. I have never had my brakes go all the way to the floor other than when I was bleeding my brake fluid. Did you check your brake fluid level? You may have some air in your brake lines if it wasn't bled properly. Are the brakes really squishy all the time?

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